- Mark Carroll says he suffers from anxiety because of his CTE
- Says his voice is affected by his constricted throat
- For confidential support, please call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Rugby league legend Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll has spoken out about an alarming new symptom of his suspected brain disorder after being told he was suffering from a deadly disease linked to concussions.
Carroll, 57, underwent a brain scan last year after watching a devastating programme about Souths hero Mario Fenech’s tragic battle with dementia. He was later told by his neurologist that he had the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
CTE, which is linked to repeated exposure to head trauma, causes memory loss, confusion, depression and progressive dementia and can only be properly diagnosed after death.
Carroll took to social media on Wednesday to explain how the condition affects his voice.
“I just wanted to explain why I sound like this,” he said in a video clip he posted to Instagram.
“I wish it was from getting hit in the throat like my good buddy Geoff Toovey or Gary Larson. Unfortunately, it’s the symptoms of CTE.
‘I’m scared. Why? I don’t know. But I’m so tight all over my body and that’s why I have this bloody throat [issue].
“To the people who messaged me after hearing me on the radio and on Fox, I’m trying to be the best I can be.”
Mark Carroll (pictured with daughter Indi) says he suffers from anxiety and muscle tension as a result of an incurable brain condition and it affects his voice
Carroll, one of the toughest players to ever step onto the pitch, revealed he asked his doctor if he was going to die after receiving devastating news from a brain scan in 2023
Carroll captioned the post, “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your support and kindness during my recent and ongoing struggles with CTE. If you or someone you know is struggling or has similar symptoms/concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re stronger together.”
Carroll was upset when he got the news from his neurologist last year.
“Man, I burst into tears,” he said.
I said to her, “Am I going to die?” It was a week later [former star player and coach] Paul Green committed suicide.
“It’s horrible, you hand it out, but you don’t want to hear the consequences.”
Carroll admits he considered committing suicide after hearing the news, but he now wants to do what he can to help other players who are struggling.
“It’s not a good place to be if you know you want to get rid of yourself,” he said.
Carroll (pictured with wife Monique and daughter Indi) has been candid about the terrible health battle that awaits him
“I just want them to step forward and come out of the silence that I was in.”
The former Souths and Manly player says he now has “good days and bad days” but wants the NRL to cover the costs of players having to undergo brain scans.
“There is a duty of care, I really believe in that,” he said.
‘Take care of the players from my era, but also of my heroes from the time before that and the time before that.
‘[It’s] $900 for a PET scan. We’re not covered by Medicare or any other health plan, but every player that lives in silence where I’ve been… comes in and gets tested, and the league pays the bill.’